I want to thank Suzanne Miller for starting the conversation about Propositions 3 and 4, which will be on the Saranac Lake Central School District’s May 21 ballot. (“At Saranac Lake schools, funds for quality education should be top budget priority,” guest commentary, April 22) I hope this response helps clarify some questions and misconceptions.

Ms. Miller asks, “Would it not be better to utilize the $2,820,000 identified in Proposition 3 to prepare our district buildings to better serve the educational needs of all our current and future students, rather than a small, select group of students, in a very narrow, and limited manner?”

Our district prides itself on fostering all our students’ interests. We have robust art, music, extracurricular and interscholastic sports programs. The gift we provide our students is the opportunity to participate in all of them. This year, for example, 45% of our students in grades 7-12 (253 of 558 students) played a fall sport, and 51% (284 of 558 students) in grades 7-12 are currently playing a spring sport. The split is almost evenly 50/50 between male and female participants.

An investment in athletics is an investment in all our students. The current district enrollment, pre-K through grade 12, is 1,092 students.

Despite the opinion that sports are for a select group and focus only on the physical aspect of child development, the reality is that investment in athletic competition is an investment in all our students. Research has consistently shown participation in athletics is positively associated with higher grades in school and on standardized assessments, as well as higher graduation rates. Improvements in students’ mental health, including decreased rates of anxiety, depression and substance abuse have been documented, as well as improved self-esteem. The positive effects of involvement in sports are found for all students but can be especially beneficial to those youth considered at risk. Furthermore, updated facilities are shown to increase rates of sports participation.

Sports are an important part of a student’s education, even among those who do not participate directly in interscholastic sports. Physical education classes provide the foundation for lifelong fitness, attendance at games provides healthy socialization opportunities, and sports provide the foundation for school and community pride. None of this is to say that if students do not participate in athletics, they are destined to do poorly in school. Instead, the research shows participation in sports increases the likelihood of positive youth outcomes.

The proposed field is located inside the high school track, not at Wilson/Raymond Field. The field will be striped for soccer, football and lacrosse. Flag football can also be played on the field. This will not be a “game only” field. It will also be a valuable resource for practice. With lights, it will allow for practices later into the fall, it will be invaluable for Nordic and Alpine skiing during the winter months while we wait for snow, and spring sports will be able to have outdoor practice before their first games (usually held at someone else’s artificial turf field).

The field benefits more than just the students who play fall/spring interscholastic sports. It will also be used for grades 9-12 physical education classes, field days for grades 3-5, fundraising opportunities, graduation, and pep rallies. Like all our facilities, it will also be available for community use.

The passage of Proposition 3 will not increase taxes. The district funds used are for specific purposes and cannot be used to fund salaries, books, lunches, etc. The Capital Reserve Fund was established in 2016 and can only be used to pay the cost of any object or purpose for which bonds may be issued. Voter approval is required to spend from these reserves. Expenditures must be specific, i.e., for purchasing school buses, facility construction, and equipment. There was no specific purpose in mind when the fund was established. The additional funds ($397,000) resulted from an unexpected premium paid to the district when we borrowed funds for our ongoing capital project a few years ago. They, too, are only available for use on capital projects. These funds, combined with the state aid available for this project, means this project will not increase taxes.

Proposition 4 is for modern bleachers and a press box at the high school that will create a full-service venue and allow the district to host sectional and regional events. This project will have a cost associated with it. For a homeowner with a house valued at $200,000 and a STAR exemption, the cost would be no more than $7 per year.

Make no mistake — this is an exciting moment. The passage of these propositions is a win-win for our students, our school district, and the greater Saranac Lake community. This is a great opportunity to provide the community with a valuable resource, most of which comes at no additional cost to the taxpayers. The district looks forward to continuing to provide information on this project. You can find the latest information and ask questions on our website, www.slcs.org, and you are invited to a public hearing on these propositions on Wednesday, May 8, at 5:15 pm in the high school library.

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Diane Fox is the superintendent of schools at the Saranac Lake Central School District.